Thursday, June 30, 2011

Nail Polish Strips


So what are we thinking about the nail polish strips?? LC just posted about them on The Beauty Department and I have seen them at target but have yet to use them. They look really cool though because I hate painting my nails. They never come out perfect which irritates the hell out of the perfectionists. Ahem.

Maybe I will surprise BFF this week when she comes and we can try them out. Or M and I can try them out on our sleepover on Friday.

By the way the knitting phase has officially begun. Hooray! I am so excited to be knitting again.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a pool day but it's supposed to rain! The only day it rains is when we are going to have our pool day. Figures.

Well enjoy the rest of your day, Happy Summer!

Riz

My latest crafting adventure...

Finally I am posting my current craft project. Drum roll please...



This my friends is going to be a big uber fat COWL! Love cowls. I am just winging this one. I was inspired by this cowl, of course found on Etsy. It's for one of my good friends bday's. Shh! Don't tell her! I hope she doesn't read this post... Well while I'm at it. I will also be making her these gloves. I hope they come out good and she likes them!

First off I would have totally bought this cowl instead of making it. Which sounds like a cop out because it's not hard, but it just takes f o r e v e r. And I get bored. Fast. But the price was just too steep considering I could easily make it. Sooo here I am. At least I started way early, and I am using my biggest needles and chunkiest wool.

One of my summer goals was to make (start) my xmas gifts which I try to keep completely handmade. So this is where it has started and still is. I need to get on that. I am coming down from my book phase so it should only be a matter of time before I start up the knitting again. I'll keep you posted.

By the way I am so thankful to all of those talented folks out there that post their patterns for FREE online. Those of us who still can't figure out (maybe never) how to make their own patterns are so grateful for you. THANK YOU!


My all time favorite cowl I have made so far is the one I made for lil sis last xmas. Thanks lil bro for the modeling. I made it out of baby alpaca wool, it is so soft. It was a labor of love that's for sure because those are just continuous cables! The pattern can be found here.

Anywho, i will make sure to post a pic in a few months with the finished products after she has opened them!

R

PS: So looking forward to ... sleepover with M on friday!! What shall we do lil sis? Smores, cuddle, board games, cuddle... the possibilities are endless!

So NOT looking forward to ... being the #1 Dennis babysitter all next week. Someone save me. We can only hope she will only want to be a cuddle bug and not whine for her mother the whole time. Wishful thinking I know. Cat already started crying even thinking about being away from her for a week (insert eye roll). Lady also out of the blue decided she is afraid of rain and storms. She's been hanging out with boo (Lucy) too much. So she proceeds to throw herself at everyones door until someone lets her into their room. Joy.

Welcome back to the 3 ring circus, we'll be here all week.

Etsy


HA!

Legwarmers
Pottery
House Print
Soaps
Cups
Teabag Mug
Punch Cups
Clock
Long johns
I heart MA
Mason Jar Chandelier
Mason Jar Terrarium
Crochet Slipper Boot Pattern

Does anyone else find it creepy when these people take their product pics with mannequins? If you really don't want to use your own mug, can't you ask someone with a decent head/hand/body to pose for a pic? Like come on now. To tell you the truth, the second I see a mannequin in a pic I don't even look at the product. It's all about the pic folks, get it together.

Riz

PS: What I am loving today =

Full gas tanks and fixed cars, thanks Papa Bear

PSS: I went over M's today hoping that I would find some milanos. No dice. Apparently that's an old pic. But for reals those things are AWESOME. They taste exactly the same, no joke.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

What's Cookin' Good Lookin' Wednesday

It's that time of the week again! After much deliberation I decided to share a dessert recipe with you guys. I wasn't going to share dessert recipes because obviously those are vegetarian, but I love myself some dessert so I wanted to share those too!

Hopefully everyone is familiar with the pepperidge farm cookie Milanos, they are delish!  So when I found this online on Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World while blog hopping, I had to try them.  They are very easy and easy on your waist in my opinion without eggs, milk, or butter.

So I decided to put the spotlight on these little treasures...Vegan Milanos

1/3 cup rice milk (or soy)
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (I didn't have any so I skipped this)
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped (or use chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 2 large cookie sheets.
1. In a large mixing bowl, use a strong fork to mix together milk, sugar, oil, vanilla and zest.
2. Add half of the flour, along with the cornstarch, baking powder and salt; mix well. Add the remaining flour and mix until you have a soft, pliable dough.
3. Make sure your hands are very clean and dry, and dust them with flour.
4. Grab about 1 tablespoon’s worth of dough and roll it into a ball, and then roll into a log that’s about 1 1/2 inches long. Flatten with the palms of your hand to create an oval that is 2 inches long and 1 inch across, then straighten the edges out with your fingers.
5. Continue with the rest of the dough, flouring your hands before you form each cookie, until you have 16 cookies placed about 1 inch apart
6. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, until tops are firm and edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes. Use a thin, flexible spatula to transfer to a cooling rack.
7. While the cookies are baking, melt the chocolate.  I just put all the chips in a metal mixing bowl and placed that on top of a saucepan with some simmering water.
8. Now, once the cookies are cool you can either dip the bottoms of two cookies and sandwich them together or "frost" the cookies with chocolate with a spatula.  I found the "frosting" method to be less messy. But once you have a sandwich set them on a platter and let set in the fridge for at least an hour, or until the chocolate is hard.

And that's it! They are super easy and delish!
They may not the the prettiest, but they're tasty
M

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Shopping Much?

Etsy:
Amazing Watch
Card

Amercian Apparel:
Socks
Bodysuit
Skirt
Undies
Short Sleeve Bodysuit
Unitard
Bathing Suit
Bandeau Bathing Suit Top
Another Bathing Suit

AE:
High Waisted Shorts
H&M:
High Waisted Shorts
Skirt
Flats
Wrist Warmers (lets see if I can find a matching pattern on ravelry!)

Victorias Secret:
Nighty
Dress

Shoes:
Boots
Converse
Vans
Hunter Boots
Hunter socks

I bought one of these items. Hmm which could it be? I'll post a pic once it comes, so excited!

Riz

PS: I hope normal sleeping patterns return soon or else I'm in deep doodoo.

Monday, June 27, 2011

I need a breather

Sorry for being MIA. Kitty daddy said it best the other day, we needed a vacation from our vacation!  Gosh, I just felt like we were running all over the place trying to see everyone and do everything.  And on top of it all I am extremely anti-social and being around people constantly is physically/mentally exhausting.  Does anyone else feel this way?

So it was back to work today and all was well except for the lady who flipped out on me towards the end of the day.  It always amazes me the way people will act when they are told no. It is just sad when a grown adult will swear and yell and pretty much throw a full fledged tantrum just because they didn't get their way.  And I am the type of person where even if I could help you, the more f bombs you throw at me, the less motivated I am to help you.  Goodness, people can be so rude.

Oh well, I just always tell myself that their anger probably has very little to do with me, they are probably just going through some stuff personally and taking it out on the world.

Anyways, I am currently reading through the archives of a blog I really like, Rockstar Diaries. I was just reading these posts where people shared the little things in life that made them happy.  This inspired me and since I've been feeling a little overwhelmed with life and since second session of summer school starts tomorrow (dun dun dun...) I thought I'd share a list of little things that make me happy.

1. Winter time right before christmas where everything is very festive
2. Leaving the windows open in that perfect weather so the breeze can come through and make the house smell so fresh
3. The smell of Grammie.  I don't know what it is but I love it.  If it were a room spray I would buy it by the dozen
4. A good book
5. A clinically clean kitchen
6. When all the laundry is washed, folded, and put away
7. When B smiles at me
8. Freshly painted toe nails
9. That first glass of water in the morning when your mouth feels like the saharra
10. The thought that something silly you made for someone brightened their day just a little bit

#2
photo credit
M

Our Mum

Ok lil bro just said the funniest thing and it sums up our Mum perfectly so I thought I would share.

J: "I just had this dream that I got shot in the head."
R: "Ok. Weird, did you live?"
J: "Ya, and Mom was pissed at me because I didn't have my insurance card."

I died. Hysterical.

Maybe you have to know our Mom. Fun Fact. Back in MA freshman year of high school, we were walking into the house in the winter and I slipped on some ice sideways and fell on my hand which was protecting my head. So we all laughed and that was that. Well the next morning I woke up and knew that it had to be broken. You just know when these things are broken. So I go upstairs after my shower and tell my Mum who proceeds to tell me I'm fine and that I am going to school and if it still hurts when I get back then we will go to the doctor's. Well of course it did and we find ourselves in the hand and foot doctors office. We are in the waiting room and I'll never forget she turns to me and says "If you broke your hand I'll kill you." As she's laughing because maybe she's feeling a smidge guilty because I had to go around school all day with a broken wrist because she thought I was just trying to get out of school. And yes it was broken.

And just to rub salt in the wound, all lil bro has to do is call her at work tell her he overslept and she calls him in. If you're going to have kids make sure you have twins so there's no such thing as the oldest.

Riz

Blue Valentine


I am a little baffled. I can't say I love or hate this movie. I just don't know. Maybe I need to process it. I watched an interview with Ryan Gosling about it on E and he said people are hating on him about it and he said he really likes it because it's about a real relationship, the good and the bad. That's the best way to describe it.

It's about two people who fall in love and then down the line somewhere things get screwy and they have to decide whether they want to stay together or not.

Overall I would say it is sad and very real. It was kind of refreshing actually considering alot of movies just show the "good" times in relationships when in reality there are the good, bad, and ugly times. I liked it, the more I think about it, I really liked it.


Ryan Gosling is so hot. I hate the word hot but there is no other word, well other than sexy-as-hell. He is so hot I am jealous of whoever he is dating. Now I am the jealous type (unfortunately) but come on he's a celeb thats ridick you say? Yes, yes it is. BUT HE IS SO HOT. K I'm done.

How awkward are those sex scenes for celebrities? That's all I can think about when I watch them. I think; "Are they actually naked? They look like they're naked. How do their significant others feel about these scenes? What happens if they get turned on while they're doing these scenes? Who is it more awkward for during filming? Cast or crew?" Hat's off to these people. I couldn't do it. I would be beet red blushing. Or feeling like I was doing a porno with tons of people around. So awkward. Then how it screws with your head. If you started to have feelings for your co-star, wouldn't you be like ummm I don't know if I am feeling this way because of the movie or if I really like this person. Awful.

On that note. I am still stalling. I'm at the point where I'm like it's only the rough draft and only 5 points.... Don't you hate that? Then my buddy in the class isn't going so that's even less motivating.

We also have The Rite. I really want to see it but I can't watch it alone. Too scary. Isn't Anthony Hopkins like the best scary movie dude? The answer is YES.

Anyway, tootaloo

Riz

PS: Where my sista at? Where you at?

Do we remember this video? Classic.

PSS: Does everyone else swear in blogs? I always re-read what I write for typos etc. and always swap out my swears for more proper language. I'm wondering if I should do that or not. It just seems more respectful but isn't a blog about writing what you want? And if I think it as a swear, it should probably stay that way, right? I don't know, jury's out on that one. I wonder if anyone else out there in the blogging world ponders this.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Stalling


Laundry's done.
Room's cleaned.
Sheets are cleaned.
Lucy had a bath, nails trimmed, eyes cleaned, and got her heartguard.
I just showered.

Now what's left to do? My damn paper. Ugh. All the cleaning is actually an accomplishment considering my BFF isn't even coming in to town and it got accomplished over a span of days instead of power cleaning on a Sunday.

Well actually there is one thing left to do. I rented Blue Valentine. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm scared, my BFF told me not to watch it because I will no longer love Ryan Gosling. I don't know how that's possible but I am a little fearful. I do find the match up between him and Michelle Williams weird. I thought she was like way older than him for some reason, just looked it up, they are the exact same age. Weird. I was thinking about looking over the paper instructions while I watched the movie, that would be considered getting something accomplished, right?

FYI I suck at jump rope. I have been trying all day to accomplish this seemingly simple task. Then lil bro comes down stairs, unaware of my difficulties, picks up the jump rope and not only rocks it but does TRICKS. Figures.

You can tell how good of a workout it is. I guess next to running that's the best way to burn calories. Gotta love that, it can cut out some of my power walking time and burn more calories. I think I am going to go buy a beaded jump rope though. They're heavier, maybe I'll have better luck with those.

Well off I go. If I finish my paper, or enough of it to feel accomplished, I'll post again. I have found some really cute clothes that I'd like to share.

Check ya lata, wish me luck

Riz

PS: The Peanut M&M's won the battle. I ate so many then added them to my calorie counter (app), 250 calories!!!! Really hated life after I logged that. Probably should have checked that out before I scarfed them. I do this funny thing where I talk myself into them and at the time it seems really logical. It started with, "O! There's only 1 large bag left at Marsh, it's meant to be!" Ya I know pathetic, it gets worse. "Well they cant be that bad for you right? I mean I read last night that dark chocolate isn't bad for you, these aren't dark chocolate but I mean they're chocolate. And they have nuts in the inside. How bad can peanuts be for you?" This is even more illogical because I obviously know the only kind of chocolate you're supposed to eat is dark and that other nuts are wayyy better for you than peanuts. Never mind the sugar coated shell around them. Good god it's hopeless. Til we meet again Peanut M&M's.

some more s'mores

Try saying that five times fast!

So I witnessed something new today. S'mores in the microwave.  This needs to be attempted with caution so that there isn't a gooey explosion in your microwave, but kitty daddy loves them!

You don't get the whole golden brown effect like a campfire will give you but they do get very ooey gooey. Oh and not sure if anyone has tried this, but s'mores with chocolate graham crackers instead of honey are delish!

We woke up a bit late this morning so we only browsed through the farmers market a half hour or so before they closed.  Next time I will get there earlier so things aren't so picked through and now that I know what is there I will know what I want to buy.

I can't wait until I am free of this prison named college and can work full time and makes lots of money (hopefully!) so that I can spend $4 on a dozen eggs and not feel like I am breaking the bank.  I look foward to the day that money isn't constantly in the back of my mind and to where I can buy what I want (within reason, I think I will always be on the frugal side) and not worry about it.

Sigh, one day...

Night,

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Exercise and Awkwardness

Well I did follow through with getting some workout equipment. I went to the second hand store and got some 12 LBS dumbbells and a weighted jump rope. We'll see how it goes.
(No joke this is the bodyrock lady. Doesn't she just make you want to workout?)

I thought I would do a follow up on BodyRock.TV. I really like it and all but the workouts kill me. I feel like I tore something days after these workouts. So it makes me wonder if the workouts are really safe for your body or not. Everyone has different opinions it seems about what is the "correct" workout, but after the way I felt after one of those was horrible. However, I am learning lots of different exercises so I would recommend it. I also downloaded an interval timer app on my iPhone which comes in handy.
(Can you imagine if I got my paws on one of these bad boys. It would be all over.)

By the way I went to the store last night and DIDN'T GET PEANUT M&M'S! Are you proud of my will power? I was. I walked out with only 2 ginorm boxes of feminine hygiene products. And guess what the fing cashier laughed! I looked around like, is this lady serious? I mean does she laugh at the people that walk up with hemorrhoid cream? I would hope not. But still she thinks it's okay to laugh at the tampon girl. Whatever cashier lady.
(Now go google awkward and look at the images. Hilarious)

Don't you hate those awkward people? The people that no matter what you do they make the situation awkward? I like to pride myself in saying I am not an awkward person. At least I try not to be. I always find something to say when there is an awkward person or awkward moment. But some people you just can't fix.

For instance the guy at the secondhand sports store today. Awkward. "Can I help you find anything?" R: "This is what I was looking for." Guy: "Resistance bands?" R: (I was clearly standing there with a jumprope but felt weird because I could already sense his awkwardness so chose not to say anything hoping he would figure out it was a jumprope) Guy: "Well what you need is this (hands me a resistance band and takes my jumprope out of my hand)." R: "No. This is what I need, I want a jumprope." (I take back jumprope) Guy: "O, I thought you said you wanted resistance bands." Says this kind of shitty like I was the one making him look stupid. Sorry bud, you did that all on your own. So he just stands there and stares at me. R: "Sooo I guess this is the one I'll get." Guy: "Ok. I don't know how much it is but I'll go check the price." Then proceeds to scurry off. Guy: Comes back. "We can give it to you for $4." R: "Ok thanks." Then he proceeds to stand there and stare AGAIN. "Ok thanks!!" Again. Now shoo weird guy, he finally shooed.

Of course until checkout. I walk up to the closest counter. Helper guy comes flying out of NOWHERE and says "I can help you over here!" R: Ok dude chillax, I know you don't get commission. "Ok." "Does T-- W------- still work here?" Guy: Blank stare for a while then procceeds to say in a shitty voice, "No. He hasn't worked here for about 4 years." R: WTF is up with this clown. "O. I guess it's been that long since I have been here."

Get me out! Eventually I did. With not offer of assistance to my car even though I had 12 LBS weights and another box and they had about 20 people working and I was the only person in there. Thanks guy, you're a peach.

Riz

PS: What I am loving today =

Raw almonds

Is it too much to ask to look like a VS model?

I have had it! I am going to waltz my fat tush to walmart tomorrow and buy some fitness accessories. I just feel like it would make it easier.

I think I will invest in one of those thigh rings. And a jump rope.

You have to start somewhere right? Good god I have been looking at VS lately and their bodies are just my ideal. Drooling. They must have so much self control. I guess their job is to work out anyway and they have people helping them but still.


Riz

Home home on the range...

Tonight we visited with his familia again.  Not sure if I mentioned it before but they drove out here from New Jersey in a motor home that is nicer than my apartment.  It has a full kitchen, bathroom, washer/dryer, flat screens, and 3 zone air conditioning.  I mean come on!

So we all sat around the camp fire and watched the fire flies and roasted marshmellows to make s'mores! Yum! When I was younger I didn't like marshmellows so these were not my fave treat.  I wanted to roast my 'mellows like all my cousins though so I would roast them and my parents would eat them for me.  Just like how I don't like oreos but love the cream filling.  My big sis Riz used to let me eat the cream filling then she would eat the cookie so I didn't waste them and make Cat mad.

Sitting around a campfire made me want to go buy a tent and treck off into the wilderness for an adventure.  But then I remembered when Riz and I went to rock climbing/ white water rafting camp in Maine one summer and we had to sleep outside.  Not my fondest memory of the trip.  Especially when some weirdo kid was threatening to put frogs in my bag when we were leaving.  I may or may not have told him I would do him bodily harm if he went near my stuff.  Hey, at least it wasn't Riz he tried to pick on, she would have laid him out!  She's a scapper with a temper I tell ya!
photo credit

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Tomorrow morning kitty daddy and I are going to the farmer's market. Can't wait! I've never been to our towns farmers market and I have heard its insane!

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Anyways, cheers to summer nights and s'mores!
M

Friday, June 24, 2011

Dessert Recipes

TGIF!

Since I am trying to shed those last 10 LBS I am really watching what I eat. Therefore, all I can think about are desserts. I am that person that would prefer to just order dessert instead of dinner. I am also much better at making dessert than any other meal as I have mentioned before. Sooo I thought since I won't let myself indulge, the least I could do was share some simple desserts that are always a hit.

Trifle

In MA we tended to call it a truffle for whatever reason. A trifle is basically a layered dessert. You can do it anyway you want. All it requires is an imagination and a pretty trifle dish. You don't need one necessarily but if you care about what it looks like then this is what you need.

My two favorite combo's

Vanilla version:

White cake (1)
Cool Whip (3)
Vanilla pudding (3)
Strawberries

Bake a white or yellow cake mix. Cut the cake into cubes.
Make the pudding. I use the kind that you whisk the cold milk in.
Cut the strawberries in half.
Now you layer. Start with cake on the bottom. Then pudding. Then strawberries. Then cool whip.
Pete and Repeat went down the river, Pete fell out, who was left? REPEAT.
Finish with a cool whip layer and slice more strawberries thinly and make a pretty design on top.
Chill. (as in the fridge but you can chill too, it's an easy one)

So of course you can do any layer combo you want but this is a nice and light one, great for summer. You may not need 3 containers of everything, but you always end up using more than you think you will so buy more than you think you need. Also make sure you mound up the layers on the sides so you can clearly see them through the trifle dish. Also try to have the same amount of stuff in each layer so nothing gets lost.

Chocolate version:

Chocolate cake (1)
Cool Whip (3)
Chocolate Pudding (3)
Heath bars frozen (alot, plus more since you might lose them before they get in the trifle)

Same drill.
Except this time you will freeze the Heath bars them break them up really good before you put them in the trifle.
Start with the cake in the bottom, then chocolate pudding, then heath bar, then cool whip.
Repeat.
Finish with cool whip and sprinkle with heath bar pieces on the top to decorate.
Chill.

Enjoy!

The chocolate version is VERY rich. Once again you can use any combo you want. I have seen brownie but that would make it even richer so I don't know about that one. Make sure you get enough heath bar in every layer. That's the best part, you can never have enough.


Trifle's would be fun to do in individual cups as well for dinner parties. More work but it would be cute.

Nieman-Marcus Cookies

Everyone's heard the story, but these really are the best cookies EVER.
2 cups butter
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups sugar
24 ounces chocolate chips
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 (8 ounce) Hershey Bars (grated)
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

Directions:


Prep Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 36 mins
1 Measure oatmeal and blend in a blender to a fine powder.

2 Cream the butter and both sugars.

3 Add eggs and vanilla.

4 Mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder and soda.

5 Add chocolate chips, grated Hershey Bar and nuts.

6 Roll into 1 inch balls and place 2-inches apart on a cookie sheet.

7 Bake for 10 minutes at 375° or until golden.

Thanks food.com for this recipe. I'll have to double check later to make sure this matches the version we have. It looks the same. These are always a hit. They do take some time though. Especially the grating of the chocolate bar.
Brownies
This isn't a recipe. Just my favorite brownie mix.
Betty Crocker's Fudge brownies.
Love these. They are the best brownie mix out there, hands down. Don't bother getting any other brownie mix, even if this one is a little more expensive. For some reason I don't like the taste of these when they're warm. Weird, yes but just let them cool completely and you be the judge.
After this I really don't know if I can fight the need for chocolate M&M's. I mean one medium bag wouldn't hurt right? As long as I can get lil bro to go with me. He's pissed at me right now. I was a tad bit of a b-i-t-c-h this morning. All I can say is watch out for the wrath of Rizzy, it's not pretty and I am not proud of it. If you piss me off or hurt me in any way, watch out, all I see is red and I take no prisoners. Except for Lyddy of course, because her wrath may just be worse.
Happy weekend, bake something for me!
Riz
P.S. What I am loving today:
1. Tea
2. Shower caps. Lyddy taught me to use shower caps in the shower so I can shower every day and not have to clean my hair everyday. This is necessary after workouts. She's a genius. No I wouldn't have figured this out on my own, or bothered, she's the hair person, it's even her shower cap. Thanks Lyd!
3.

Etsy

I have gathered yet another Etsy want list:

Pinch of Salt
Beetle Bug
Apron
Wall Decal
Cute Print
Another Cute Print
Necklace
Saying
Summer Scarf
Whale Cup
Frames


Goddess of Love by P.C. Cast was good of course. It involved two immortals this time, the god of fire and the goddess of love. This one had some funny parts in it which was surprising because I can't say that any of the others did. I suggested it to M, one of the main characters has a scotty dog who thinks it's a cat so she calls it scotty cat. Hilarious, I know M will appreciate it. And now that brings me to the end of this series. There is still one more in the series, Warrior Rising, but for some reason they don't have it at my library. Sigh. I don't like to leave anything unfinished.

My best friend has always made fun of me for many things but one of them in particular is my outfit planning. Yes, outfit planning. And while my sister and Mad would surely be rolling their eyes right now, I simply cannot help myself. I hate to be unprepared for anything, for some reason especially my attire. So there may be an event coming up that I may just need to plan my attire for (stop rolling your eyes M). I now feel inclined to start my quest for some new flattering outfits. I am finding it difficult lately to find anything that is really flattering. I need something that will make my legs look longer and take attention away from my thighs. The only things I can think of are heels and high waisted pencil skirts. And the hunt begins.

Riz

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Row row row your boat

So today we had an adventure! The bf, his brother, uncle, and I went on a canoeing trip.  It was only for a couple of hours but we had lots of fun.

photo credit

I woke up early and made him his oatmeal, cut up some fruit for snacks, made some sandwiches (pb for him, cheese/mustard/lettuce from my window box for me), threw it all in the cooler with some ice and water bottles and we were off.

I must admit, about 3/4 of the way through, I got the tiniest case of Oscar the Grouch's.  I can't help it people! I just got off the phone with Riz and she was telling me I have to try not to get cranky cause it brings everyone elses moods down.  But when I'm tired, hungry, my back/butt hurts (scoliosis and canoe seats were not meant to hang out for extended periods of time), and I constantly feel like my canoeing partner (aka kitty daddy) is going to capsize the canoe with how much he fidgets, I start to get just a smidge agitated.

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But, we made it and that creature in my belly named hunger was fed so Oscar went back to his trash can and the laid back M got to come out again!  Overall, we had a good time enjoying the outdoors and admiring the cool houses on the river.

There was one house with an upper and lower deck that were attached with a spiral staircase.  They also had a hammock and rope swing.  These people knew what they were doing to say the least.

I am such a recluse that after all the excitement of the past two days, I am exhausted!  So I am going to go tuck myself in for the night and recharge my anti-social batteries.
photo credit
M

What's Cookin' Good Lookin' Wednesday

So sorry! This post was meant for yesterday but I was otherwise engaged. My kitty daddy's family is visiting from out of town and they got here yesterday so after I got off work we hurried and went to have dinner with them.  So this is my excuse for being behind on my posting.

So better late than never, here is my recipe for the week...

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
  • 1 (19 ounce) can green enchilada sauce [I used red cause I couldn't find green]
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 cube vegetable bouillon [I used veg broth cause I couldn't find bouillon]
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes [I don't like tomato chunks so I just used tomato paste]
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 cup vegetarian chicken substitute, diced (optional) [I haven't tried these]
  • 4 (6 inch) corn tortillas, torn into strips [I just sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top]
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • I like to put rice in there so I add more liquid to compensate**
In a pot, mix the enchilada sauce and water. Dissolve the bouillon cube in the liquid, and season with garlic powder, chile powder, and cumin. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low. Mix in the beans, tomatoes, and corn. Simmer until heated through. Mix in vegetarian chicken and tortillas, and cook until heated through. Stir in cilantro, and season with salt and pepper to serve. **I sprinkle cheese on top and sometimes sour cream.

This is so easy and quick! Perfect for after a long day of work when you just want to throw dinner together and eat on the couch.

Enjoy,
M

These are a few of my favorite things...


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1. Grande non-fat chai tea latte. Usually paired with a blueberry scone.

2. Eee PC. M and I both have these netbooks. The Asus brand was recommended to us by a Best Buy employee. I love my little pink netbook and M loves her white one but I am kicking myself for not going with the iPad. My computer has worked great until recently. It won't let me play videos without freezing up on me. Apparently it is overheating and there's really nothing you can do about it. Netbook and case only cost me $300 and it is perfect to tote around to school and take notes on in class which is what I needed it for most.

3. Hobby Lobby. I love Hobby Lobby. They just built a new huge one in our town near M's apartment. Craft heaven! And everything is always on sale.

4. Vintage Coach. My newest purse obsession is vintage coach bags I get at goodwill. I have about 5 now and I am sure there will always be more added to my collection.

5. Lubriderm Body Lotion. This is my favorite body lotion. I coat myself in lotion everyday and this is by far my favorite brand. It moisturizes without being oily or stinky. It is expensive thought. You can get a value pack at Costco but it's still expensive, considering how quickly I go through lotion.

6. Rompers. Rompers are my go to outfits in the summer. Lightweight enough to keep me cool in hot Midwest weather. Cute enough to wear out. Not fussy since you don't have to bother with a top and a bottom. And i think flattering since it just kind of hangs on you. Love them. I am always looking for more.

7. iPhone. I have to say I will never go back to any other type of phone. I will have the 3Gs for 2 years in December and I love it so much. So convenient! The maps have saved us more times than we can count. Back in the day M and I got stuck in a terrible storm and decided to turn around when we were about halfway to school. Well we got very lost and maps saved us. On the drive to Maine our TomTom freaked out and told us to turn around. Once again maps saved us.

8. Kotex. Last but not least, Kotex. My favorite brand of feminine hygiene products. I use their thin pantie liners and plastic tampons. And they are the cheapest!

I am about to start Goddess of Love and just stumbled upon a great post at A CUP OF JO. She discussed this great website called What should I read next? This is exactly what I have been looking for! So anyway she asked her readers to post some of their favorite books, so from that I have compiled a next-to-read list.

The Time Travelers Wife by  Audrey Niffenegger

White Oleander by Janet Fitch

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

Some of these are non-fiction which isn't really my thing as we know but all of these books were highly recommended so I will give them a try. Remember the kindle post? Well my library already has the ebook program! And the majority of these books were on it. Oddly enough though I was not excited as I should have been. But there is just something about having the book in your hand when you read. It reminds me of the debate on The View with Woopie and I forget who about the eReaders vs. actual books. It is better for the trees though. Something else surprising was that the books that they offer as ebooks they do not offer as hard copies, crazy huh? I have a feeling that's where it is all going. There won't be libraries or books anymore. Just ebooks. Kind of sad don't you think? Our library doesn't even have a checkout counter anymore! Just self checkout lines! Whatever is the best for the environment is the best for me, even if it does make me nostalgic.

R

What is art to you?

Did you know you can make book requests at the library?? WHO KNEW! I have never had an issue finding a book at the library that I wanted. Ourlibrary is ginormous. Well low and behold there are several that I looked for recently at our library and no dice. Sooo I asked the very annoyed library ladies (Aren't they supposed to be sweet and old? What's up with that?) if I could put in book requests. Yes you can! We will see if it actually happens and if so how quickly, but I'm excited. Doesn't take much these days for the library addicted nerd with cloth bag in hand (actually more like the bitch with the tude because the place is always packed, o well we can pretend).

I am happy to report that I took Exam 2 today in my summer class and I think I did pretty well again. Unfortunately though I stayed up last night and tonight (meaning I am still awake and haven't gone to sleep yet) reading some more P.C. Cast books.


Goddess of Light by P.C. Cast was about a successful interior designer whose job takes her to Las Vegas due to a very rich client. There she unknowingly falls in love with a God who just happened to be visiting the realm with his twin sister Goddess. This book was good. I didn't love the ending as much as I have the other Goddess books. It did bring back characters from by favorite book the Goddess of Spring though so that was a nice surprise. Of course I would recommend this book as well.


Goddess of the Rose by P.C. Cast was about a woman who never felt quite like she fit in and did not understand why until she unknowingly lands in the Realm of the Roses. I would say this is my second favorite book of the whole series so far. It's a play on the Beauty and the Beast tale. Which I didn't think I would like (that isn't my favorite Disney movie) but surprisingly I really enjoyed it.

The good thing about this book series is that you don't have to read them in order and they are a fairly quick read.

Jeez I really need to start sleeping at night. The other night was so nice! When you haven't slept at night in so long, you forget what it's like to get a good nights sleep. Maybe tonight I will sleep. Doubt it though considering I have the last of the series that they have at my library, Goddess of Love, sitting next to me.


So I have been thinking lately about what true talent is. Now what prompted this thought was two things. I have been reading on the side some books about Andrew Wyeth, a very famous painter whose family of painters can of course be tracked back to Maine. Our walls in our parents house are covered with prints of his paintings and they have many more that have yet to be framed. I even have one in my room that was given to me when I was younger, a painting of his yellow lab of course. So anyway the Wyeth's are near and dear to our hearts so we have books about him and our Dad got some more books at the library about him. As I was reading one of the books it would say that he only drew things that provoked meaning and emotion to him. And that sometimes he painted things into the image that were not actually what he was viewing. For example he would add things or subtract things from his view or he would change the position of a person etc. He is an amazing painter and it was shocking to me that not everything in his paintings where exact replicas of what his eyes were seeing. Some may not find this so astounding but as someone who loves to draw and paint I don't find it very difficult to pretty accurately draw what I see. However, I fail when it comes to trying to draw something that I am not directly observing.


So this prompted my thought of what true talent is. In my eyes true talent is being able to create something solely from your mind that is both beautiful, amazing, and unique. The same goes for author's. Some author's seem to base their stories solely on life experiences, changing details here and there, but they are able to create great stories because they themselves have actually experienced it. That's great and everything but compare them to someone like J.K. Rowling? She had no formal training, she was a single mother barely getting food on the table, she was deeply depressed, and wrote the story of Harry Potter on napkins in a coffee shop. Her mind created a whole story from scratch. Isn't that just amazing?

Now I am not trying to in any way to disqualify those who paint what they see in front of them or those who write based on life experiences. Because these people of course are still very successful and talented. But what about in comparison to others who craft these wonderful things all in their minds and then transfer that to paper? I just find that amazing. So when I saw what my first forum post is supposed to be for my art appreciation class I knew exactly how to answer the question; "What is art to you?" Art to me is something that was created solely from the creativity of ones own mind and then transferred onto a blank canvas, whatever that canvas may be.

R

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

What up summer?

Happy first day of summer!

I know Riz already told you guys about it, but we had a great time at the Hookah Bar for J's bday. We tried to do smoke tricks, not as successful as we had hoped.  Don't worry, we were the only people there so no one was watching us try and fail, not that that would have stopped us! No shame people, no shame. Nothing better than new experiences with my best friends/bro+sis!

So excited for the first day of summer.  I think everyone is just happier when it is sunny and warm!  It's fun to just sit outside at my mom and dad's with Lady and read a good book.  Can't wait for some more pool days...as long as Riz quits dodging me!

Summertime is when I miss where we grew up the most.  I decided the other day that I want to end up by the ocean, just like we were growing up.  The energy is just so much different by the beach.  It is definitely something I've decided I want for my future!

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 We used to make popsicles in Maine in the summer. The best.

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 Can anyone else hear the musical genuis of an ice cream truck through the walls of any building? At 21, I still sprint out of my apartment yelling at the bf to grab cash while I go save us a place in line. Once again, no shame...

Happy Summer! Cheers to sunblock, fruity drinks, and good moods!
M

The first day of summer and the hookah bar!

What a wonderful day!

#1 I actually slept through the night last night! Miracle I know. I can't remember the last time that has happened. Which explains the lack of late night posts. I actually think I post better at like 3 in the morning, o well.

#2 I woke up early which I also haven't done in forever and did my whole study guide for my test tomorrow!

#3 We took lil bro out to a hookah bar for his bday! So fun. The food was good too!

So ya it was a good day. I am currently reading Goddess of Light by P.C. Cast. M just finished it, I'll give you my review and summary when I'm finished.

Happy first day of summer!

R

Monday, June 20, 2011

How the heck are ya'?

Hello everyone!

First of all, hope all those dads out there had an amazing father's day.  And hopefully my mister had a nice kitty daddy day!

Yesterday, that fam went to see Pirates of the Carrabean: On Stranger Tides.
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We liked it, not sure why it didn't get great reviews. Plus, Johnny Depp is a dreamboat :sigh:.

My kitty daddy went to his dads house where they were having a family party.  Like the good little susie homemaker I am, I sent him off with some chocolate cupcakes with the peanut butter icing my big sis' posted about. Always a crowd pleaser.

And today is our lil' bro's 18th birthday! Holy moley, he's the last one to hit adulthood, I'm sure Cat is a little sad today.  But we're not! Riz and I are going to take him to a hookah bar tomorrow probably.  We were going to all get tattoos too but J wasn't feelin' it.

Also, I finished Goddess of Light by PC Cast.
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It was alright. Didn't rock my world or anything, but it kept me entertained. Now I'm reading Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, and so far it is good, haven't read too much yet.
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I have high hopes for it though, I mean its Nicholas Sparks, you can't go wrong with the man.  I am also obsessed with the cover, I want the bike, the bouquet, and the door.

Anywho, I have to run and get candy and balloons for the bday boy! TTYL
M

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day Papa Bear!

The title says it all.

Happy Tum Tuck day Papa Bear!

Love your kids!

A day in the life of Dennis

Comfy?

Yep she did that herself. We look over and there she is. I think we peed.

Den you can't fit under there no matter how hard you try.

Puppy love. Or at least according to Dennis.

Puppy love. And once again, in Dennis' eyes only.

No Dennis, that windowsill was not built just so you could lay your fat cat self on there and watch the birdies. And if you notice there seems to be a suspicious set of black legs in the right of this picture. Hmmm...

Excuse me Dennis I'm on watch.

Excuse you Lady? Dennis of course wasn't phased.


Riz